The Melia Hanoi Hotel will exclusively host the “Rio Carnival” food festival at its El Patio Restaurant from March 7 to 9, with a buffet dinner from 6pm to 10pm.

The atmosphere of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the biggest carnival in the world, is being brought to Hanoi for the first time at the Melia. The Rio Carnival is held every year before Lent and boasts 2 million people on the streets every day. It dates back to the 1640s, when elaborate feasts were held worldwide to honor the Greek wine gods. The Romans also used to worship Dionysus or Bacchus, the god of the grape harvest.

The hotel’s veteran Executive Chef Erick Garcia from Guatemala, with his vast experience in South American culinary art, will tantalize the taste buds of the most demanding palates in Hanoi. Brazilian food is an exuberant, colorful mix of Portuguese, African and native foods, including some from the Amazon. The buffet showcases Brazilian specialties such as feijoada, pao de queijo, bragadeiro, and, especially, churrasco and the famous Brazilian barbecue, etc.

Prices start from VND950,000 ($43) per adult, including a glass of Brazilian Caiprinha, live entertainment, and the buffet.